The Promise

Job 1:2-3;7-12 2 Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east. 7 The  Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man,fearing God and turning away from evil.” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side?You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord.


Does God ever put you in a situation that you never thought you would have to be in? I know that even now God has put me in a place that I didn't think I would be in, yet alone would be able to handle. But that's what He's teaching me, I can't handle the circumstance. I also can't fix the hurt that comes from circumstances of life. So how does a person cope when they can't make themselves feel better? God does that for you, even in the tough situations.

Job is a prime example of what God can do. God had given Job everything that he could hope for, but all of that changes when Satan tries to make Job curse God. Satan is allowed by God to take everything away from Job, his family, his livestock, and his home. Job is tempted in ways that we hope we never experience. .God knew Job's limitations.He never let Satan do something to him that Job simply could not manage, and because of this Job never looked at his situation and cursed God. In verse 8 God says " (job)... A blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil." God knows the condition of Job's heart, this is why God lets Satan tempt Job.

Whatever your circumstance remember that God knows the condition of your heart, He knows that you can grow in Him through the pain.1 Corinthians 10:13 says " No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."  What a great promise is that? God will be faithful to you and He will deliver you. 

Application:  Max Lucado, in his book, "God Will Use This For Good," says these encouraging words " You'll get through this, It won't be painless. It won't be quick. But God will use this mess for good. In the meantime don't be foolish or naive. But don't despair either. With God's help you will get through this."